Monthly Archives: June 2021

Except for the Maryland sports betting bill that was passed on May 18, 2021, there has been no other law passed by Maryland. Currently, there are no state-based or US-based online gambling options for Marylanders, but that could change in the future.

Maryland has lurched back and forth between legislation and prohibition in its history of gambling, but it seems like the state is moving with time and starting generally loosening up gambling restrictions.

Generally, lawmakers are not blind, they realize how much potential revenue has been lost to neighboring states. And even though the bill for legalizing sports betting passed easily, online gambling is a different situation.

Online poker sites and online casinos are illegal in Maryland, and it seems like there is no chance for gambling expansion anytime soon.

Three main types of gambling allowed in Maryland are:

On the bright side, nothing stops Maryland residents from gambling online on offshore sites. Unlike many other states with precise definitions of gambling laws, Maryland has a very broad definition of gambling.

Finally, a guide to online gambling in Maryland with the whole history of gambling in this state, as well as all the gambling laws and upcoming expected changes and regulations, can be found here.

With the rapid growth of the online gambling industry in the last few years, the risk of cybercrime grew too. Whether you are online shopping, online dating, or online gambling, theres always a chance of being scammed or hacked by cybercriminals lurking in the shadows of screens.

The first and most crucial step to having a safe online gambling experience is to only gamble at licensed casinos. Any legitimate online casino has a proper and valid license displayed at the bottom of the homepage.

Next, you should check if the online casino has been around for a long time. If so, they should have a strong history of taking care of players. And one of the best and easiest ways to find if an online gambling site is legit is to read the previous customers reviews.

Finally, before signing up for an online casino site, you should contact the support department a few times. In this way, you can test them to see how long it takes them to respond and how well they handle your requests. Its always good to know that when something goes south, you have the help you need.

While its certain that placing a bet on a land-based casino has its own unique appeal and perks, the truth is that online casinos offer convenience and availability that are gold-worthy to players.

By now, you probably know that the Maryland sports betting bill passed in May of 2021. However, many gambler enthusiasts are eager to place a bet on sport sooner rather than later.

Luckily, you can do that on offshore sites, and as long as you gamble on a verified online casino and update your phonefrequently, you will have a carefree experience. This way, Marylanders will be ready when the industry finally launches.

Three basic steps for placing a bet online on sports in Maryland are:

Reasonably, the first and most easy step in placing a bet online is downloading the sportsbook of your desire to your mobile phone. You just go to Google Play or App Store and type in the name of the app.

Next, you will need to complete the registration process. For this step, you will need to provide your personal data like name, surname, social security number, address, and more.

Finally, youll need to fund your account through various deposit methods. Once you finish all mentioned steps, you will be able to place a bet.

There are a lot of speculations about what the online gambling industry will look like in the future. Some are realistic, and some sound far-fetched, but one inevitable thing is change, and time will tell whether it is for better or worse.

If theres one thing that can be said with certainty, its that mobile gambling will grow exponentially in the near future. Believe it or not, mobile gambling isnt maximized to its full potential just yet. Next, it is expected that in-play betting, a.k.a live betting, will grow in the future, as well as esports betting.

Esports gambling grossed over US$14 billion in 2020, and if you consider that the fanbase of esports leagues is much smaller than the professional sports leagues, thats pretty mind blowing.

Finally, it is believed that crypto gambling will rise as well. The mission is to give crypto gamblers an easy way of playing with their bitcoins and other altcoins. Cryptocurrencies make the process smoother with quicker withdrawal and deposit.

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Maryland Online Gambling Bill Passed - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

JEFFERSON CITY Missouri lawmakers dealt the state Lottery two blows this spring that could affect how much money the agency collects in the coming year, the director said Wednesday.

The Legislatures failure to address the spread of illegal gambling during the most recent legislative session could siphon off dollars that people might otherwise pay for Lottery games.

And lawmakers slashed the Lotterys advertising budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 from $1.5 million to $400,000.

It will really be difficult to tell people about our new products. It could really impact our sales, Director May Scheve told members of the Lottery Commission.

Scheve said the lottery will counter the reduction in ad money by ramping up its use of social media to try to boost the lotterys profile.

Were going to do as much as we can any way that we can, Scheve said.

Scheves comments follow a legislative session that resulted in no action being taken to regulate or eliminate thousands of slot machines that have been placed in gas stations and liquor stores across the state.

Estimates have put the total number of machines in the state at 14,000, but industry observers say more are likely out there, including at convenience stores that have built special rooms to house multiple devices.

Anecdotally, our sales reps say they are seeing more and more of them, Lottery legal director Jay Boresi said.

In addition to questions about the legality of the devices, the state sees no financial benefit from the unregulated expansion. No proceeds are diverted to education. There are also no government-sanctioned resources for addicted gamblers nor rules to protect consumers from low payouts.

The Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have said the slot machines are gambling devices, which are prohibited outside of licensed casinos.

A handful of county prosecutors also have filed charges against businesses that have the machines.

But that hasn't brought any clarity to the debate in the Capitol.

Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, sponsored legislation seeking to outlaw the games, but it failed to advance. He also attempted to attach his proposal to a larger gambling expansion plan that included legalizing sports betting and allowing regulated slot machines at truck stops and bars.

The expansion proposal also failed to advance amid disagreements between casino operators, sports betting proponents and video poker companies.

Following the legislative session, two companies that are suing the state to stop the Missouri State Highway Patrol from targeting their unregulated machines contributed $350,000 to campaign funds linked to lobbyist and former House Speaker Steve Tilley, who worked the Capitol corridors this spring to stop Schatzs legislation from advancing.

Tilley, who is a close ally and fundraiser of Republican Gov. Mike Parson, represents Wildwood-based Torch Electronics, which has provided machines to businesses. Warrenton Oil is a gas station operator where some of the machines are located.

Torch contends its machines are not gambling devices, even though players insert money in hopes of winning a cash prize.

In February, the companies asked a Cole County judge to issue an order stopping the highway patrol from seizing machines as part of acrackdown on illegal gambling.

The Highway Patrol has engaged in a long running campaign of harassment of stores, like Warrenton Oils stores, that house Torch amusement devices, the lawsuit notes.

The suit was filed three days after the Highway Patrol seized three machines from a St. Clair location owned by Warrenton Oil.

In addition, the lawsuit said state and local police have intimidated and harassed convenience stores in Linn, Crawford, Barry, Vernon, Camden, Henry and Webster counties that license space for the Torch amusement devices.

The lawsuit also said Torch amusement devices were seized from Warrenton Oil convenience stores in Franklin County and from other convenience stores in Henry and Linn counties.

Boresi said the lottery is tracking lawsuits against Torch, as well as the one filed by Torch.

We are watching that one closely, Boresi said.

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With gambling machines spreading through Missouri, lottery officials concerned about revenue loss - Houston Herald

From our sponsor/advertiser Ajeet Singh Yadav.

When talking about the future of esports, one thing is certain: its happening. At this point, no one can deny that esports is going to stay with us and grow bigger in the future, at least as long as we have the technology.

Given the cosmic speed of technology development, a question arises: what does the future of esports look like? Will it include games such as Bitcoin Dice, virtual reality, or even more sci-fi concepts?

Many believe crypto will play a big part. There are numerous uses for blockchain technology, some of which are yet to be discovered. It only makes sense that a fully digital industry such as esports would try to leverage the benefits of this ingenious technology, and thats exactly whats been happening in recent weeks.

With so many potential uses, its not a surprise to see blockchain quickly establishing also in the gambling industry. Crypto casinos are increasing in popularity, and with them, a simple wagering game called Bitcoin Dice.

Although the dice is virtual, it does involve a random roll of numbers where the outcome can be any number involved. The player chooses a number between one and hundred and wagers on whether the dice roll will auto-generate value higher or lower than the selected number.

RELATED: The legal considerations of esports NFTs Sheppard Mullin

Its a variation of one of the simplest, purest forms of gambling. And as with any form of gambling, the higher the risk, the higher the reward. And then, of course, theres the factor of gambling with cryptocurrencies, which makes the forgotten game attractive again.

Speaking of the gambling industry, its not just online casinos that incorporate blockchain. A handful of bookmakers, such as Luckbox or LOOT.bet, have been offering esports betting in various cryptocurrencies for a while now, and some even have their own digital coinage. CryptoFights, mentioned above, utilises a Dungeons-and-Dragons-style dice-rolling system which isnt a million miles away from Bitcoin dice. And remember what FYX CEO Kling said: esports can become something akin to online poker, with grassroots esports taking place on platforms such as FYX.

Crypto is a natural fit for both the esports and gambling industries, and the fast implementation of the technology by businesses is proof of that. Not because of its skyrocketing popularity, but because of its unique perks and seemingly endless potential in so many different aspects.

Most importantly, blockchain could help overcome some of the challenges that the esports industry is currently facing and act as a catalyst for its further growth.

Esports organisations and tournament operators started partnering with crypto companies and some, such as Virtus.pro, G2 or FLASHPOINT even revealed their NFT collectibles, hoping to jump on the NFT hype but also to provide value to their fans.

RELATED: Diversifying esports revenue streams: how are teams making money?

While NFTs represent mainly an amusing addition to the revenue sources of esports businesses, its likely just the beginning of the crypto era. Some believe grassroots esports will live, to a large extent, on the blockchain (see The Esports Journal Edition 8, page 40).

Were seeing a rise in real-money gaming platforms many of which are operating on the blockchain. FYX Gaming, a blockchain platform whose flagship title is aptly named CryptoFights, operates on the Bitcoin SV blockchain; indeed, using blockchain technology has many benefits, including permanent data storage, detection and deterrence of cheaters,the potential for valuable in-game item drops in the form of NFTs, and much, much more.

FYXs CEO Adam Kling told The Esports Journal in April that he envisions esports looking like online poker on steroids, given the potential of real-money gaming at a grassroots level. Ultimately, blockchain could improve competitive integrity and security in esports and, as Kling sees it, democratise esports.

ESI Podcasts | Digest, Focus, Insight

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Blockchain: the next step in esports and gambling - Esports Insider

New Jersey is asking the U.S. Justice Department to confirm that online gambling is allowed under federal law, an issue officials thought was settled until the agency reversed course under Donald Trump.

After Justice in 2011 ruled during Barack Obamas administration that the federal Wire Act did not ban gambling over the internet, New Jersey was one of three states to legalize it. When the coronavirus shut down New Jerseys casinos for months last year, online gambling and sports betting allowed New Jersey to weather the pandemic better than other states.

But under Trump, the department changed its position and decided in January 2019 that the federal Wire Act did, indeed, prohibit such betting.

New Jersey and 26 other states have asked U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to rescind the Trump administration decision and go to back to the agencys original interpretation of the Wire Act. Garland was nominated by President Joe Biden, who was vice president when Justice first issued its opinion more than a decade ago.

Its time for DOJ to lift the fog of ambiguity surrounding this important national issue, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said.

New Jerseys legal gambling industry and the many state services and programs supported by gaming revenue and tax dollars - would have been devastated in 2020 without online gaming. Internet gaming has for years been, and remains, an essential industry here, one the Department of Justice viewed since 2011 as perfectly legal until its baseless backtracking.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trumps first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, said at his confirmation hearing in January 2017 that he would revisit the agencys ruling on online gambling, and the department two years later announced its new interpretation of the Wire Act.

That ruling benefitted the Republicans biggest campaign donors, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, who spent $78 million in 2016 and $215 million in 2020, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That was more than anyone else.

The late Sheldon Adelson headed the Las Vegas Sands Corp., and bankrolled a lobbying group, the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, to push Congress to outlaw internet gambling. Legislation to do so received a congressional hearing but not a vote.

We maintained from the start that the Trump-era Wire Act reinterpretation was politicallymmotivated and wrong on the law, and were proud to now join with our fellow states in calling for its official elimination, Grewal said.

Online revenue in New Jersey rose to $970.3 million in 2020, more than double that of a year earlier, according to the state Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Internet gambling and sports betting in New Jersey accounted for 46.2% of the states 2020 gaming revenue, according to Allison Nielsen, a spokeswoman for the American Gaming Association.

No other state came close to that share, she said. New Jersey would have ended up much closer to the other end of the spectrum without those verticals.

Despite a 43.7% drop in revenue from casino table games and slots, New Jerseys casinos fared better than those in any other state but Arkansas and South Dakota, according to the American Gaming Associations annual report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

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Trump threatened to kill online gambling. N.J. just asked Biden to declare it legal. - NJ.com

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards this week signed legislation allowing sports betting after voters in 55 of the states 64 parishes cast ballots in favor of it in a referendum last fall.The laws take effect July 1 with the expectation that everything will be in place by the time football season starts.Louisiana becomes the 32nd state to permit wagering on sports.The three pieces of legislation received a great deal of support from lawmakers. Senate Bill 247 passed 78-15 in the state Senate and 33-3 in the state House, while House Bill 142 passed unanimously in both chambers, 93-0 and 35-0. Those two bills put in place the process for casinos to apply for the necessary licenses, build sportsbook parlors on site for in-person gambling and work with contractors to allow for betting using smartphones or laptop computers.Edwards three weeks ago signed House Bill 697 into law, which set up the taxing and fee structure. It passed the Senate 78-24 and the House 32-4.SB247 fulfills the wishes of the citizens in the 55 parishes that approved the referendum last fall to allow sports wagering and HB142 will help direct funding derived from this activity to early childhood education, Senate President Page Cortez said in a statement.The states 20 existing casinos, primarily on riverboats along the Mississippi and one in New Orleans, will need to pay $250,000 to apply for a license. If approved, it will cost them an additional $500,000 for a five-year license.The bills also allow the Louisiana Lottery Corp. to place betting kiosks in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Those kiosks, along with betting from phones and computers, will only be allowed in the 55 parishes that approved the referendum.Bets will be taxed at 10% placed at casinos and 15% for those done via phone or computer. The taxes will apply to money left over after winning bets are paid.Neighboring Miss-issippi, which allowed sports betting in 2018, said the state took in $466,596 in taxes last month on $31.6 million in bets.A quarter of the taxes Louisiana collects, up to $20 million, will go to the states Early Childhood Education Fund. Another 12% will be split among the parishes that approved the referendum, and 2%, up to $500,000, will go to the states Behavioral Health and Wellness Fund. Racetracks will get 2.5% to go toward prize money, and the rest will go into the states general fund.

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Sports gambling soon to be legal in 55 parishes - StMaryNow.com

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL One week after the Chicago Bears submitted a bid to buy Arlington International Racecourse, rumors that the NFL team could soon call Arlington Heights home have reached a feverish pitch. Adding to the speculation was a Tuesday announcement the Bears have reached a multi-year exclusive partnership with Rivers Casino in Des Plaines among other entities which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc.

The partnership includes Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a Chicago-based gaming company that operates BetRivers.com. The agreement is the Bears' first multi-year exclusive deal in the sportsbook and casino categories, according to a news release from the Bears. It also makes BetRivers the Bears' official sportsbook partner and Rivers Casino the Bears' official casino partner.

Churchill Downs Inc., owners of Arlington, have a 61 percent stake in Rivers Casino. It is jointly owned by Rush Street Interactive, Inc.

"We look forward to connecting with our fans in fun and unique ways through these avenues and couldn't be prouder to be building this relationship with a hometown company," said Ted Phillips, Bears president and CEO, in the news release.

Following a June 15 deadline for proposals, the Bears announced last week their interest in buying Arlington and in building a new stadium on the 326-acre property. Soldier Field, located in the Near South Side of Chicago, opened in 1924 and is the NFL's oldest stadium. The Bears began playing there in 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field. It has a football capacity of 61,500 fans.

Arlington, the flagship racetrack for horse racing in Illinois, was put up for sale by CDI in February.

As part of the partnership, according to the news release, BetRivers and Rivers Casino will receive a mix of prominent in-stadium signage, and digital, social and print assets. Additionally, BetRivers will be the title partner of the team's customized free-to-play game on the Chicago Bears official app. BetRivers.com players will see collaborative promotions for exclusive Chicago Bears prizes and experiences while betting on their favorite team.

"We look forward to expanding our relationship with the Bears and their dedicated fan base, and offering innovative products and promotions as we remain committed to delivering a first-rate customer experience," said Neil Bluhm, executive chairman and co-founder of Rush Street Interactive and Rush Street Gaming, in the news release. "This partnership also reinforces our commitment to hometown teams in states where we have our online and land-based sportsbooks."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called into Audacy's 670 The Score in Chicago today as part of their "What About Chicago Radiothon," which supports Austin Harvest, a food mart in the Austin neighborhood that was converted from a liquor store.

During the call, The Score asked Goodell about the Chicago Bears' intentions with their bid on Arlington Park.

"I don't know the answer to that question other than to know this is a really early stage to develop potentially an alternative. But I think a lot has to be done here. I know their commitment to the Chicago area is 110 percent, and that's the most important thing to me," Goodell said. "We have a long lease at Soldier Field. It's a great place. But we're all looking to the long term and trying to look at alternatives, and that's what the Bears are doing. But I think for fans right now, I wouldn't be focused on that. There's a lot that has to go into this. Right now, let's enjoy the 2021 season. [There is] a lot of excitement for the Bears."

Audio: https://omny.fm/shows/670-the-score/roger-goodell-explains-to-why-he-joined-the-what-a

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Bears Partner With Arlington Park Owner In Gambling Deal - Patch.com

LONDON, June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leanbackplayer has released a summary of new findings on the psychology of gambling and how it affects the brain: https://www.leanbackplayer.com/psychology-casino-games/

The research looked at 41 studies from 17 different journals over the past 5 years and compiled findings from each.

The research was performed by Will Titterington and Quincy Miller, veteran gaming industry professionals.

The Research Findings

Finding #1

Online casinos have built-in advantages that their brick-and-mortar counterparts struggle to match. Online casinos are more convenient, require less overhead to operate, and allow players to gamble in complete anonymity important advantages that regular casinos will never be able to replicate.

In online live casino gaming, the anonymity of the internet allows players to privately engage in gambling without the fear of stigma, said Dr. Mark Griffiths, a Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University.

Finding #2

The biggest advantage brick-and-mortar casinos have is consumer trust. Despite advances in cybersecurity, many gamblers simply dont trust online casinos not to rig the games against them. As long as brick-and-mortar casinos have the edge in trust, theyll likely enjoy a large slice of the gaming market.

Finding #3

Online casinos may be more dangerous for problem gamblers. The ability to gamble at any time, day or night, without any of the traditional societal safeguards that keep problem gamblers in check can be a recipe for disaster.

Fundamentally, increased accessibility of gambling activities enables the individual to rationalize involvement in the risk-behavior by removing previously restrictive barriers such as time constraints emanating from occupational and social commitments, Griffiths said.

Finding #4

Gambling utilizes the power of uncertainty to literally reprogram the brain. Gambling changes how the brain releases dopamine, the so-called feel-good neurotransmitter. Over time, the brain adjusts to higher and higher doses, reducing its effectiveness, so that gamblers have to play longer and bet more to get the same effect.

According to one study, the release of dopamine reinforces maladaptive gambling, creating a self-perpetuating destructive behavior.

Finding #5

Casinos both online and brick-and-mortar are using new technology to exploit players brains. Advances in gaming technology most notably losses disguised as wins are changing how long players gamble and how much they wager, often with catastrophic results.

Finding #6

The root of gambling addiction may lie in the supplementary eye field (SEF), a little-understood region of the brain designed to control the movement of the eyes. People with dopamine deficiencies also experience abnormalities in the SEF, making them more susceptible to addiction.

Researchers investigating monkeys found that increased neuron activity in this region corresponded to increased risk-taking behavior, and a lack of dopamine increased neuron activity, creating a vicious loop.

Finding #7

Problem gamblers fit a troubling profile. Addiction is more likely to affect men, minorities, and those with preexisting health conditions, and the rise of mobile gaming is making it easier for these people to fall into self-destructive patterns.

Prior to internet gambling, many of these vulnerable individuals werent affected so long as they didnt live near a casino; however, the rise of mobile gaming has led to a corresponding rise in problem gambling among these demographics.

Finding #8

The solution to problem gambling may lie in setting limits. If casinos would enforce and gamblers would adhere to limits on how much can be wagered or how long sessions can last, problem gambling could be severely curbed.

About Leanbackplayer.com

Leanbackplayer covers global igaming trends, regulations, and news. The Leanbackplayer research team also conducts original surveys and reports that can be found on https://www.leanbackplayer.com/category/news/.

For questions or comments, please email contact@leanbackplayer.com

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Psychology of Online Casinos vs Land Based, Analysis of 41 - GlobeNewswire

By Don DeLash| Bucks County Courier Times

Pity the poor recovering gamblers, who while struggling to put their demons behind them and wish to find in the reprieve of sports a place to get away from it all for a few hours, but yet are subject to an endless string of commercial ads for gambling websites. These sitesmake glamorous the explicit invitation to take their money in plain sight and callously set them back to their addictive ways.

Imagine a recovering gambler, trying to kick the habit, settling down to a Phillies game and seeing, as I did during a recent game, a stretch of five commercials, four of which were for four different online gambling sites.

Allow me to translate the commercials they are all the same in attempt to save the poor recovering gamblers: We want you to send $2 to us because we have this pretty, smart lady and this cool, mysterious dude telling you to do it while walking on water in a tuxedo.

Then well let you win one ridiculous bet, like if someone anyone scores a basket in this NBA game, you win $200. To tell the truth, the $200 is really ours because you cant have it. You have to spend it with us and quickly, or you even lose what you dont have by placing the laughably stupid bets on our website that we know you are going to place.

You simply cant win, but we know you will keep trying because the lady and dude are so smart and cool.And once we have a few hundred of your dollars, and you have collapsed back into your dark habits and desperation sets into your life, call these people at the bottom of the screen and well move on.

Pity the poor recovering gambler who can no longer even enjoy a ball game.

Don DeLash is a resident of Pipersville.

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Guest Opinion: Gambling websites make it look easy and glamourous - Bucks County Courier Times

You may have heard of betting sites not on GamStop that are gaining in popularity as we speak. There are many of them and all players know that these gambling sites come with interesting advantages or benefits. We will discuss the matter below and give you all the main facts you need to know before placing the first bet.

Although for some, it may look strange, these sites really do offer interesting benefits. Most of these perks come from the lack of requirements they must meet. As such, they can offer a better gambling experience. This is precisely something that all players have been looking for and need. Below we will explain the main advantages.

UKGC is responsible for GamStop and as you already know, all UK sites with this licence must use GamStop. There are no exceptions. Sites that do not have a UKGC licence dont have to use GamStop so they can offer fewer restrictions. They are known as betting sites not on GamStop and some of reliable operators are present at NonGamStopBets.com (famous GamStop-free portal). This applies to more games, rare betting sports and so much more. It also applies to bets. Here a player can place any bet he likes of any amount and win a huge amount of money.

In a nutshell, players have more freedom. They can gamble precisely as they like and they can enjoy more than ever before. At GamStop gambling sites, a player must meet countless requirements which all have a negative effect on the gambling experience.

Here you dont have to verify your account. All you should do is create a new account, deposit funds, and play. At GamStop gambling sites you must provide ID documents, proof of address and so much more. Yes, it is safe, but it also means that a player must share all kinds of documents and personal information with unknown parties. Identity theft, losing information, and being unable to play anonymously are all related drawbacks and issues you need to know about.

Many UK players do not want to share their documents and they avoid these sites specifically due to this issue. Verification should be optional and not mandatory. Add the fact you need to wait for days until it is completed and you can see the problem. A gambler wants to play games as quickly as possible, not within a few days.

UKGC sites do not accept credit cards for deposits and withdrawals. This is one of the newer limitations this gambling authority set and the one that has a huge side effect on gamblers. Using credit cards for gambling used to be the most popular and the safest option of them all. It is also the most convenient. Each player already has a credit card and he will use his own money to fund the account and place bets. Due to various reasons that are honestly irrelevant, this is a problem and nothing more for 99% of gamblers.

At gambling operators, without GamStop you can use credit cards. As a matter of fact, you can use all kinds of other payment methods and all of that without any risk. Now you can deposit funds within seconds and play games within minutes. This is precisely what players want and need.

A UK gambling site or the site with GamStop support must pay massive taxes, use the funds to meet new UKGC regulations and so much more. A big part of the profit goes to all of this. Thats why their bonuses are usually small and limited. You are looking at a 50% bonus match and a few free spins. In addition, these must pay for the UKGC licence as well!

Gambling sites without GamStop dont need to pay for anything of this kind so they can offer much better promotions. It is a well-known fact that a site of this kind can offer a 500% bonus match and up to 300 free spins. These are just some of the examples. In general, you are looking at countless, high, and always available bonuses. Dont forget that there are a lot of sites of this kind and each one is offering new and fresh promotions. For players, this means more options and more free money that will be used for gambling.

We must add that most non-GamStop gambling sites also offer rare and more interesting promotions that are not available at UK sites.

Sites that do not support GamStop do offer many advantages. They are still safe gambling sites and will payout when you win. Thats why so many UK gamblers have been gambling at these sites and they prefer them over UK sites. The bottom line is simple. You get a better gambling experience without any downsides.

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What Are The Benefits of Non-GamStop Gambling Sites? - BlackSportsOnline

Many times over the past two years, Sam Mattis stared at a pair of blackjack cards on his phone, and two questions raced through his mind:

Hit or stick?

How did I get to this point?

When Mattis graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016, many believed he was headed for a lucrative investment career. He had just completed his internship at JPMorgan Chase, and the company was so impressed it offered him an immediate job on Wall Street.

So what did he do? He politely turned down the offer, never thought about business again and decided to make a living throwing discus. Mattis, who grew up in Middlesex County, started competing in the event at East Brunswick High. He won an NCAA title at Penn.

Its the outright dream of most boys to be a professional athlete, Mattis said. I never really thought that would be my path, but after I won NCAAs for Penn in 2015, I thought, Maybe I can do this for real.

And the investment in himself has paid off: Mattis is ranked 16th in the world in the discus, the No. 2 ranked American. After an Olympic-qualifying throw last summer, if Mattis finishes among the top three in the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 25, hell be bound for the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.

When he turned down the Wall Street job, however, he turned down the money that comes with it. Discus athletes dont make what stockbrokers earn, so he had to get creative by working odd jobs and gambling while he trained.

At first, I wasnt making money from track, he said. To pay the bills, I worked in marketing for a pharmacist in my area. I worked for a company that tried to be an Uber for laundry in 2019. Then, this past year I started up a supplement company and did a lot of sports betting and blackjack just to try to get by.

Mattis also was hired as a volunteer assistant coach for the Rutgers track and field team. He was unpaid, but he did get to use their facilities and add Division I track coach to a resume that he hopes will include the Olympics.

The coaches at Rutgers were nice enough to let us get in on their training situation, and we volunteered a couple of hours a week to help coach there, he said. It was a decent relationship.

Mattis position at Rutgers lasted for about a year and a half before their facilities shut down due to COVID-19. After that, he moved back to Pennsylvania, where he and six other athletes created a training bubble at a local facility. This is where he started the final training steps towards his Olympic dreams.

Mattis longtime roommate and training partner, Noah Kennedy White, is a witness to his training. He has watched his friend mature as a world-class athlete in a sport where money trickles.

Sam is someone who had a lot of success in high school and college, and hasnt been immune to the difficulty of professional track, White said. But hes stayed super consistent in his work ethic and his self belief, and clearly its paid dividends. Hes really established himself as one of the best throwers in the country, and its fully deserved.

Mattis trainer Dane Miller also played a key role in the East Brunswick natives rise. Miller, who is active on Instagram and puts him through a number of high intensity workouts, says if Mattis reaches his potential, hell win on the highest international stage of the sport.

His ceiling is going to be working to the point of medaling at the world championships or medaling at the Olympics, Miller said. I think thats got to be our big picture goal. Hes capable of doing that.

After dealing with several back injuries this season, Mattis cant wait to prove himself.

Im finally starting to put some stuff together, he said. Im excited. Just being there at an event like the Olympic trials is very exciting. Its just a different level of competition.

When Mattis reflects on the hours of training, grueling practices and opportunity costs, he still has no regrets. The moneys tight, unemployment and small stipends from USA Track and Field have helped him survive this year, but hes proud that he chased his dream.

You only get to do something like this once, he said. Regardless of how things shape up, Im very happy I made that choice and decided to do something a little more fulfilling than making rich people richer.

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